Today’s Workout: Keep your summer abs toned with this crunch

Summer, as the kids know it, is winding down. Just because it’s backpacks and school uniform time doesn’t mean you have to put the bathing suits away.

There are plenty of warm weather and pool or beach days left, which means abdominal work is still a must (as it always should be, beyond vanity).

Our move today is an Arms High Crunch. The name is pretty self-explanatory. You will need a flat surface and a mat for this exercise.

Begin by lying on your back, bending in the knees, and placing your feet flat on the floor. Press your back into the mat, engage the core, and roll your shoulders back and down.

Extend both arms up between an overhead position and chest level. Keeping a space in between your chin, start by lifting the upper body off the floor, engaging your midsection. Once you reach your fullest extension, slowly release back to the start. Be mindful of pressing your back into the mat, and using the abdomen for full strength.

Continue this crunching movement for at least 10 to 15 times. Take a quick break and return for another set, giving yourself at least three sets.

The purpose of extending the arms is to create a little more tension in the crunch. Anytime this gets to be too much on the neck, place your hands back by your ears.

This move is great mixed in with a whole abdominal workout or on its own. Anyway you choose, your abs are going to be summer-ready well into the fall.

— Marlo Alleva, an instructor at Gold’s Gym and group fitness coordinator at Fontaine-Gills YMCA, can be reached at faluvzpa@msn.com.

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